Blessed Autumnal Equinox. Before I venture on, I am called to turn a lens onto all of the beings that were impacted by the recent hurricane. As the weather continues to remind us how fragile and precious our lives are and how important community connection is in times of hardship - I invite you to send intentions of safe rescue, love, support, dry and safe shelter, food and clean water to all whose lives have been so swiftly reshaped by the elements. I have been and will be posting resources to donate on Rising Earth Healing Arts Instagram page in the coming days as I gather information. The above piece of art has felt so fitting as with so much in the airwaves as we are in the full winds of autumn transition, this image reminds me of the sanctuary of love that earth provides to us and at any moment she invites us to be cradled and held by her limitless love and care. You will also see this print, along with Annatina Franaszek’s art newly adorned throughout the sanctuary.
My birthday lands right in the Autumn equinox portal and I am, as one of my clients recently shared, “one that is always in transition”. I will never say it is easy, though one truth of this life is impermanence, everything shifts and everything evolves. Adaptability is key and being fluid and open to surrender have been my two biggest tools, along with understanding that Universe/Nature/God is within me and that all I need to do is clear the way to be in aligned relationship with that energy. When we have a relationship with the security and safety within us, we can return to this sanctuary at any time and be resourced.
As we associate the autumn equinox with transitions and letting go, in Chinese Medicine it is also the season of the lung and large intestine along with the emotion of grief. Cold brings contraction, inward motion. You spend the most time with yourself, so Nature brings us to the threshold to release what is taking up space that wishes to be liberated. This could be habits, behaviors and addictions, relationships (work, personal, intimate), belief systems etc. As we release it is absolutely natural to feel sadness and grief. (I will be holding a grief ceremony in early November) As we release, I have found it supportive to be a gentle parent to yourself and to remind yourself that you release because you love… YOU. We release to empty and evolve. If something has left your life, see what it feels like to regulate yourself to the fertile emptiness within.
Support yourself with getting out into Nature and allow all of your senses to adapt to the changes all around you - your inner realm is a mirror to this. Every cell and function within our body knows intrinsically what to do in seasonal shifts and we can help support its rhythmic processes. Here are some tips for autumn:
Create routine: Routines keep us focused, resourced and grounded. Autumn being governed by wind - connection to healthy patterns and routines can support the transition.
Wear scarfs! Cold is not our friend when it enters the body. It essentially creates sludge and slows down the efficiency of our body systems. One of the most vulnerable of places cold enters the body is the neck. Break out those scarfs and hats and dry your hair before venturing out. Heading to your kids games? Bring a mat to sit on to create some warmth under your pelvis and wear warm socks. Cold in the feet and pelvis creates pelvic discomfort and imbalance.
Eat warm foods. Bye bye salads and hello soups, roasted veggies and sauteed garden greens. Warm belly = better digestion.
Infrared Sauna. If you are feeling cold and sluggish tap on your chest, hips and feet to gauge if they are cold to the touch. If they are, you likely have cold stored in the body. Infrared heat enters the body at a cellular level and increases your core body temperature and can even kill off viral germs.
Make a gratitude list. It’s not corny - it truly helps move the brain move into a place of receptivity and abundance rather than a sense of lack which can ensue when we are releasing and letting go. It helps keep dopamine flowing! You have roots!
Remember, what is meant for you, will always find its way to you - be open to receive it and allow the space to appear. Bless your release and allow those dreams and visions to move ever so deeply into your life. When will they manifest? We don’t know - but they will materialize if we keep at them. You are a cyclical being. xo
